There are books and names of
authors "everybody" knows, even if maybe we have never actually read
the book. "Moby Dick" is one of those books, with probably a large
percentage of (not only) the English-speaking world having come across
the author's name at some stage.
But how many of us have
actually read "Moby Dick" or know something about Herman Melville?
Admittedly, I am one of those who'd have to answer "not me".
I knew the author's name, of
course, but of Moby Dick I only know the film starring Gregory Peck as
Captain Ahab. I found the story gruesome and the film not at all
entertaining, and so was never really induced to find out more about the
author and his work.
Still, I was interested enough
to download this free ebook about him. It is part of a series of books
aiming to "provide superior editing and original writing services, with the expertise to create digital content for publishers across a vast range of subject matters".
Anyway, I did enjoy reading
this brief account of Herman Melville's life and work. It is neatly
presented in 8 chapters and comes with a handful of illustrations.
Until now, I did not have the slightest idea that Mr Melville had such a
tragic life; his career as a famous author was solely based on his
first two books, and "Moby Dick" was published many years later, when he
had already pretty much disappeared into obscurity. The story was only
properly discovered in the 1920s and has since then risen to become one
of the best regarded classics of American literature.
Melville died in relative
poverty, almost completely unnoticed by the literary world, a forgotten
genius who seems to have enjoyed only brief periods of happiness in his
life.
His wife, only briefly
mentioned in this biography, must have been exceptionally kind, loving
and generous. She battled alongside her husband against his alcoholism
and frequent bouts of depression, apparently being instrumental in
several victories. It was also thanks to her skill and intelligence that
the family, although veering on the brink of bankruptcy a few times,
recovered enough to allow the ageing couple a level of financial
security.
I think I'll look for a few
more books in this series. They are not much longer than a special
feature in a magazine would be, and are really perfect for my trips to
and from work.
Such an interesting story about Melville and the life he led. I had no idea really, and like many really only knew him regarding his Moby Dick story. Like so many creative souls, especially writers and painters, they struggled close to poverty, suffering health and social issues, and were only recognized for their often glorious bodies of work after death.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing - sounds like a good way to have a quick read and learn a lot!
Mary -
P.S. Liked reading your take on dressing in dresses - I think we both enjoy clothes!
Thank you, Mary, I'm glad my brief review was interesting to you.
DeleteYes, we both enjoy clothes, I gather that from your blog, too!
I adore Gregory Peck, even as the dark Captain Ahab. Moby Dick is a great book, but I had to grow up to appreciate it. I thought it was boring when I read it in high school. I felt the same way about The Old Man and the Sea. I read that one in honors English when I was only 13, and couldn't appreciate it properly at that age.
ReplyDeleteOur taste in and understanding of literature certainly changes as we grow up, which is fine and natural.
DeleteAs for Gregory Peck, I adore him, too - one of my all-time favourite actors!
That's interesting - I had no idea. I should look out Moby Dick and give it a go - I read a kids' version when I was much younger, but have never read the full one. So many geniuses have troubled lives - which reminds me, it's time for a drink.
ReplyDeleteI laughed out loud at your last line, Mike!
DeleteI've never even read a kids' version of Moby Dick... Somehow I doubt I ever will read it. I read mostly for entertainment (fiction) and information (non-fiction), but Melville's books do not really sound as if they are my cup of tea (speaking of drinks...!).
Remember the post I did about In The Heart of the Sea? Herman Melville really based his Moby Dick book on that true story. Also, no offense to Neville, but Moby Dick is ...a bit much. Still, you know I am not one for fiction!
ReplyDelete...which is precisely why I have not read it, and probably never will, Kay!
DeleteYes, I remember your post about The Heart of the Sea, and like you, I love books based on real stories.
Typing this on tiny tablet, sorry for spelling errors!
ReplyDeleteNever mind, I knew you ment Melville when you wrote Neville :-)
DeleteI have Moby Dick in Swedish in my bookcase, and know I read it back in my youth, but I think I found it rather heavy reading. A shorter novel by Melville, 'Billy Budd, Sailor' was included in one of my English literature courses at university - but I wouldn't even have remembered that if not for the fact that I still have the book (Billy Budd, Sailor And Other Stories)... Judging by the notes in the book, I'd say I probably never read any of the other stories included in it. But Billy Budd we obviously had to study very thoroughly - and it was full of difficult words, too!
ReplyDeleteFrom what I gathered of the biography reviewed here, his most successful novels were his earliest ones, about adventures at Sea, highly popular at the time. He himself did not even consider them good literature, but those of his works he found the best never sold well.
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